[ ATTRACTIONS ]

Gene Soucy

Gene Soucy is one of the most well-respected and proficient air show pilots in American aviation. He is a former member of the record-setting Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team, he has been a member of two World Champion U.S. Aerobatic Teams, and he has won more awards than any other active air show pilot. Innovation and versatility are Gene Soucy’s style. It is no wonder as to why he has rightfully been nicknamed “Mr. Air Show.”

At the age of twenty-two, Gene earned a position on the U.S. Aerobatic Team, making him the youngest competitor flying at the World Contest in England held that year. He finished strongly in his Pitts Special and placed 6th overall, which helped the U.S. Team to win its first World Championship.

Gene began his career with appearances in his first airplane, the Pitts Special S-1S. He branched out to include demos in the BD-4 homebuilt and Bellanca Decathlon, and he even razzled and dazzled with thrilling comedy routines in Piper Cubs and Cessna 150s. Perhaps his most outstanding performances came with his involvement on both the Red Devil and Eagle Aerobatic Teams, which he flew for an unprecedented twenty-five years! In 1988, Gene looked to be unique once again and began developing a new air show airplane for his performances. What he came up with was the “Showcat.”

• Recipient - ICAS Sword of Excellence Award
• Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (two time recipient)
• Clifford L. Henderson Achievement Award
• J. R. Wiedekind Achievement Award
• Embry Riddle Crystal Eagle Award for Lifetime Achievement
• Bill Adams Showmanship Award
• FAI Achievement Award (1996 with Eagles Team)
• Rolly Cole Memorial Award
• 3-time US National Aerobatic Champion (1st three time winner)
• 3-time Canadian National Aerobatic Champion
• Winner—Hilton “Masters of Aerobatics” World Competition
• National Advanced Aerobatic Champion (1969)
• World Aerobatic Champion Team Member—2-times
• Bronze Medal winner, World Aerobatic Championships
• 25 Years as a pilot with the famous Eagles Aerobatic Team and Red Devils Aerobatic Team
• Performed air shows in 14 different types of aircraft

The “Showcat” is the first Grumman biplane to be used in air shows since the 1930’s when the late Al Williams flew the famed “Gulfhawk.” Gene Soucy’s new airplane is also the first agricultural aircraft to be used in the air show environment. Gene has created three new acts with the airplane: a Hollywood style smoke and noise solo routine, a wingwalking act, and a night pyrotechnic show called “Fireflight.” 

Soucy’s “Showcat” was modified by Jim Swick at his son’s “Swick Aircraft” facility in McKinney, Texas. The six-month project entailed a complete renovation of the former crop sprayer. The hopper was removed and a two seat front cockpit was added for media rides. The entire top of the fuselage was redesigned with a sleeker look including a new rear cockpit, engine cowling, dorsal fin, and turtle deck. The wings were clipped to improve roll rate, new gear fairings, wheel pants, and smaller tires were installed. The aircraft was fitted with a Bendix fuel injector and new inverted fuel and oil systems were constructed. The total aerodynamic cleanup improved cross-country cruising speed from 90 mph to 110 mph. Swick also installed an air show smoke system and wing rider stand, plus a wing-tip smoke and pyrotechnic system. The aircraft’s electrical system was removed and completely rewired.

The combination of the Showcat’s light wing loading and high lift airfoil section provide the perfect slow speed performance for the wingwalking air show Gene is performing. In the air show configuration, the Showcat is still operating 1,500 pounds below the maximum weight it was flown at in the cropduster configuration with a full load of chemical.

In addition to the air show potential of the airplane as a wingwalking and pyrotechnic platform, it also offers the capability of skywriting and banner towing. If there ever was an airplane created expressly for the air show industry, it’s the “Showcat”.

See more exciting air show photos in the AirVenture photo gallery.